Radial Deep Groove Bearings

The purpose of a radial bearing, also known as a deep groove bearing, is to reduce rotational friction and support loads. This is achieved by using two races to hold the balls and to spread the load through the balls. As the bearing race rotates it causes the balls to rotate. The ball provides for substantially less rolling resistance and coefficient of friction than if two flat surfaces were rotating.

Single-row, deep groove radial ball bearings are the most common bearing type, having a wide range of applications. Radial bearings are made with very high levels of precision and used in applications where rotational performance and low torque is necessary, but load is a secondary issue. Deep-groove bearings however do have higher load ratings for their size than shallow-groove ball bearings, but are also less tolerant of misalignment.

Ceramic hybrid ball bearings use ceramic balls. Ceramic balls weigh up to 40% less than steel balls, depending on size. This reduces centrifugal loading and skidding, so hybrid ceramic bearings can operate up to 50% faster than conventional bearings. This means that the outer race groove exerts less force inward against the ball as the bearing spins. This reduction in force reduces the friction and rolling resistance. The lighter ball allows the bearing to spin faster, and uses less energy to maintain its speed. Ceramic hybrid ball bearings use these ceramic balls in place of steel balls. They are constructed with steel inner and outer rings, but ceramic balls so they are known as hybrids.

To ensure a long life for flow meters it is crucial that the meter has been installed with the proper bearing material depending on the fluid lubricity and operating temperature. Many turbine meter installers prefer ceramic bearings for their superior design and durability. Ceramic bearings are a substantial upgrade over traditional steel bearings for many turbine flow meter environments. Ceramic is a non-porous, glass like surface so it is virtually frictionless and therefore needs very little or no lubrication to operate. Ceramic is also ideal for extremely high or low temperature applications with ranges of -100°C to +900°C (-148°F to +1652°F.)

The GRW Bearing Series is a line of ultra-high precision bearings for the most demanding applications. Manufactured in Germany, these bearings come in ABEC #7 and ABEC #9 precision. We offer ceramic hybrid as well as standard steel versions of this series. These bearings can be found in the most demanding applications such as aerospace, jet turbines, flow meters, and many others. Where the highest precision bearing is needed, we have you covered with the GRW Series.

Bearings with a flange on the outer ring simplify axial location. The housing for such bearings can consist of a through-hole of uniform diameter, but the entry face of the housing (which may be either the outer or inner face) must be machined truly normal to the hole axis. However such flanges can be expensive to manufacture.

The C-HIP Ceramic Hybrid are similar to our Ceramic Hybrid series, but these C-HIP bearings utilize ceramic balls that are made with by Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP). These ceramic balls have an even greater density and hardness than a standard ceramic ball. Ceramic hybrid bearings have steel races and ceramic balls. Ceramic balls are suitable for applications where high loads, high speeds and extreme temperatures are factors. Long life and the need for minimal lubrication make this material appropriate for extreme applications. Ceramic is non-porous, non-magnetic, non corrosive and lighter than steel. In ball form, ceramic balls are also harder than steel and because ceramic balls are non-porous they are virtually frictionless and capable of spinning faster than steel balls.

Ceramic hybrid bearings have steel races and ceramic balls. Ceramic balls are suitable for applications where high loads, high speeds and extreme temperatures are factors. Long life and the need for minimal lubrication make this material appropriate for extreme applications. Ceramic is non-porous, non-magnetic, non corrosive and lighter than steel. In ball form, ceramic balls are also harder than steel and because ceramic balls are non-porous they are virtually frictionless and capable of spinning faster than steel balls.